Identifying Students in Distress

The following are indications that a student may be experiencing significant emotional distress

• Noticeable change in personality
• Frequent crying
• Dramatic weight loss or gain
• Social withdrawal
• Alcohol and/or other drug use or abuse
  
• Odd behavior, peculiar speech
• Deterioration in personal hygiene
• Direct or indirect reference to suicide, preoccupation with death and morbid subjects
• Failure to attend class or do assigned work
• Frequent requests for attention, highly dependent behavior
• Compulsive behaviors
• Unruly, abusive behavior, on-going anger, vandalism
• Listless, lethargic, "depressed" appearance
• Promiscuous sexual behavior
• Self-injurious behavior (e.g., cutting, burning)
• Hopelessness

See: Making a Referral

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Mental Health TAP Line (local community agency providing 24 hour crisis intervention) 1-800-222-9016